If you already signed up for a volunteer Vietnam program, the next thing that you should do is to prepare for your trip to the country. And just like any other trip abroad, there are some important preparations that you can do for a smooth-sailing trip and start of volunteer work.
There are three things that you need to prepare for your trip to Vietnam as a volunteer. First, you have to prepare yourself emotionally for your trip. You can do this by getting enough information about your volunteer Vietnam placement including the people you will be working with and the different tasks that you will possibly do. This way, you will know what to expect in your volunteer Vietnam placement as soon as you arrive the country. You can also practice in advance some skills that may be required of you or buy materials that can help you with your work. It will help you cope up with challenges that you may encounter especially during the first day of your volunteer assignment. Volunteers who are not well informed about their volunteer placement often have a hard time adjusting to their work because of lack of preparation.
Another important aspect that you need to be prepared about when you take part in any volunteer Vietnam program is the things that you will bring in your trip. The principle of travelling abroad lightly also applies in your trip. Avoid bringing expensive valuables like jewelry or expensive apparels in your trip because you will not need them. Also, depending on your volunteer Vietnam placement, you can also bring some materials that can help you with your work. But if those things can be purchased in Vietnam, don’t bring them anymore to avoid excess luggage.
Lastly, before your trip, research some basic facts about Vietnam like its history, culture, language, climate, and attractions. If you know the culture as well as practices in the community where your volunteer Vietnam program placement is, you can easily be immersed in the community and be accepted by them. Also, if you have basic knowledge about the climate in the country particularly during your volunteer placement, it can give you an idea about what comfortable clothes to bring. And knowing what to expect, you can also easily adjust to the local climate. And since the language in the country is different from the English language, it will also be helpful to learn several Vietnamese words like the equivalent of hi or hello, thank you, good bye, and other commonly used words and phrases.
How you prepare for your trip can have a significant impact on your volunteer Vietnam work. You can only be successful if you have a meaningful and memorable experience which in turn is dependent on how you perform as a volunteer. And you can only be an effective volunteer in Vietnam if you are able to prepare yourself for volunteer work. Everything starts with how you prepare. So in your trip to Vietnam, don’t forget to consider the points mentioned here so that you can have a successful and rewarding volunteer Vietnam experience.
